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2 <br />County as one of 10 counties within the State where funds will be <br />allocated for improving the quality of water in the Neuse River Basin. <br />The funds will be directed at providing technical assistance to <br />landowners and farmers in identifying, planning, and implementing <br />nutrient run-off reduction practices to reduce the amount of nitrogen <br />entering the Neuse River Basin. <br />The planned project is a five year project projected to extend until <br />September 30, 2003 in conjunction with the five year goal to reduce <br />nitrogen delivered to the Neuse River by 30 percent in that period. <br />Under the proposed joint agreement, the N.C. Department of <br />Environment and Natural Resources and the U.S. Natural Resources <br />Conservation Service will provide funding to Orange County for the <br />County to establish a new permanent full time position of Conservation <br />Specialist. This proposed new position will: <br />^ Advise and educate landowners and farmers in Orange County and <br />parts of Person and Durham Counties on regulatory requirements of <br />agriculture operations for the Neuse River Basin. <br />^ Review the farmer's or landowner's existing nutrient management <br />practices and procedures. <br />^ Work with the farmer or landowner to develop, design and <br />implement plans to achieve nutrient reduction goals and apply the <br />best management water conservation practices. <br />^ Oversee the installation of water conservation practices and ensure <br />that State specifications and guidelines are met. <br />^ Review plans and practices periodically and make revisions if <br />necessary. <br />The outcome sought by the activity of this position and the others <br />established in other counties for this same purpose is to assist farmers <br />and landowners in using the best nutrient management practices to <br />achieve the goal of 30 percent net total nitrogen loading reduction in <br />the Neuse River Basin. <br />Under the joint agreement, the N.C. Department of Environment and <br />Natural Resources and the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation <br />Service will fully fund the proposed new position. Half of the funds will <br />come from the State government and half from the Federal <br />government. There is no County funding involved. <br />